Age Differences in Racial Self-Identity of Young Black Girls
The experimenters modified the Clark and Clark doll procedure to assess racial self-identity in young black girls. The two groups of black children (3- to 4-yr.-olds and 6- to 7-yr.-olds) were shown three dolls that differed in skin color and/or hair style. They were asked which doll looked like them, which doll was prettiest, and which doll was ugliest. Although the majority of both groups identified with the black dolls, the older children displayed a more accurate racial self-identity. The children differed significantly in their perception of the ugliest doll: the younger group selected the black doll wearing an afro while the older group selected the white doll. These results were discussed in terms of the role of greater experience with blacks and whites and a possible over-reaction to the “black is beautiful” feeling on the part of the older group.